Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on Prevent and counterterrorism, said:

“It is good news that three teenagers have been stopped from entering Syria this weekend, but much more is needed to stem the flow of radicalised teenagers from the UK.

“The fact that so many young British people are being groomed and radicalised online or through friends and are attempting to get to Syria to become part of murderous organisations is of deep concern to all of us.

“It also shows that the Government’s Prevent programme isn’t working well enough. The police can’t do this alone. Community-led prevention work is vital, yet the Tories have downgraded this programme over the last four years. And there isn’t enough work done with friends and contacts of those travelling to Syria to prevent them being drawn in too. For example after one girl from Bethnal Green Academy left for Syria before Christmas, work should have been done immediately with her friends and their families to stop them becoming involved.

“Everyone recognises that this is a complex problem with no single answer, but more needs to be done to prevent extremism and radicalisation taking hold.”